Known to be home to the best beaches in Bali, Uluwatu is a mecca for surfers. The major surf destination sits in Bukit Peninsula on the southern tip of Bali. Filled with attractions, luxury accommodations, and awesome activities, Uluwatu is a stunning destination for all travellers. Simply rent a scooter and explore the coast for a great day out. Most accommodations have scooters for rent, so getting from one location to another should not be a hassle.
Contents
Day One
Delicious Meal at The Cashew Tree
Surf at Padang Padang Beach
Glowing Like Nebula: Suluban Beach
Fun Night Out at Single Fin
Call it a Night at Renaissance Resort and Spa
Day Two
Hauntingly Beautiful Nyang Nyang Beach
Get an Aerial View Paragliding
Karang Boma Cliff: Beauty of Bali from Different Angles
Uluwatu Temple: Shrine Amongst the Vast Sky and Ocean
A Spectacular Traditional Kecak Fire Dance Performance
Overlook the Indian Ocean At Hillstone Uluwatu Villa
Day Three
L’Atelier Parfums & Créations at Benoa
Abandoned Aircraft on Bali’s Southern Peninsula
Green Bowl Beach: A Mini Slice of Heaven
Treat Yourself to a Relaxed Evening at Karma Kandara
Sit by a Bonfire at Sundays Bay Beach Club
End the Trip at Villa Maiara
Book a flight to Bali today!
Day One
● Grab breakfast at The Cashew Tree
● Layback at Bingin Beach
● Fuel up at Guapa Mexican Restaurant
● Grab a cup of coffee from Suka Espresso
● Explore the caves at Suluban Beach
● Catch the sunset at Single Fin Bali
● Stay at Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort and Spa
Delicious Meal at The Cashew Tree
Start your day right first thing in the morning by heading to The Cashew Tree. Open at 8am, this hut-like spot would do any ravenous post-flight stomachs some good. From teriyaki bowls to fresh-pressed juices, Cashew Tree is a vegan-friendly spot in Uluwatu that serves loads of delicious food. Get your fill of hearty meals, mouth-watering healthy smoothies and vegan ice cream in a grab-and-go case and hop onto the next stop.
Hang Out at Bingin Beach
Close to Cashew Tree, spend the day dipping your feet into white sand and enjoying the salty breeze of Bingin Beach. Situated off the beaten paths, the shore can be reached by walking down several steep flights of steps. Nevertheless, the unique, large rock formations and beautiful ocean view make the trip down worthwhile.
Lunch out at Guapa
A 20-minute walk away from Bingin Beach, Guapa Mexican Restaurant is a convenient place to stop by to get a quick bite. Their Baja fish and tuna tataki tacos, priced at IDR90,000 (SGD9) each, are good options to start with.
Surf at Padang Padang Beach
Surfing is a common thing to do while in Uluwatu, for it provides the best surfs even for kamikaze surfers. Also known as the Balinese Pipeline, Padang Padang beach breaks off into the left reef break and the picturesque right break. Famed for its wave height and speed that expert surfers could only dream of, show off your advanced surfing skills and have the best surf when there is a mid to high tide.
Beginners, however, can opt for the gentler right beach break to hone their technique. Surfing aside, Padang Padang is a sunbathers’ paradise. Cool off with a drink, enjoy the crystal waters and get your tan on. If you also happen to be around the area on a Saturday night, be sure to join the best party on the island.
Suka Espresso
Only a three-minute walk away from the next destination, Suka Espresso serves the best coffee in Bali. Grab a chicken burrito bowl for IDR64,000 (SGD7) or roasted cherry avocado toast at IDR54,000 (SGD6) and relish in its timber-clad interior.
Laze in Thomas Beach
One of the many things to do in Uluwatu is to visit Thomas beach. Known for its chilling and sunbathing spots, it is almost dreamlike. Unlike most coastlines bustling with crowds, this little gem is relatively quiet, mimicking that of a classy private beach.
Glowing Like Nebula: Suluban Beach
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Also known as the Suluban cave beach, this hidden gem is a five-minute motor ride or a 20-minute walk from Thomas beach. Enclosed by cliffs, walking through the massive Suluban cave to get to the quaint shore is mandatory. Likened to a Pirates of a Caribbean set, the cave oozes mystery and raw beauty. Be sure to visit the beach during the low tide so you can explore the cave.
Stop by the plethora of cafés to stock up on snacks, or get corn on a cob, by the stands at the carpark before heading down to the beach. If you are riding down, you can park for IDR5,000 (SGD0.50).
Fun Night Out at Single Fin
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This bright and fun travellers’ bar sits at the top of a cliff and offers a breathtaking view of the Uluwatu pipeline. A walk away from Suluban beach, it is famed for its Bali’s Sunday sessions. Normally hyped on Wednesday and Sunday evenings with international DJs spinning in the background, it is the place to be to dance the night away with some drinks and food. For a relaxed evening, sit by the porch, grab a coconut, and watch the surfers and sunset.
Call it a Night at Renaissance Resort and Spa
There are several accommodations dotted around the island. Welcoming its guests with its scenic splendour, Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort and Spa is a five-star resort with abundant amenities that will not disappoint.
Day Two
● Feast on gourmet burgers at 2080 Burger
● See a shipwreck at Nyang Nyang Beach
● Experience the scenic viewpoints from Karang Boma Cliff
● Discover Balinese culture at the Uluwatu temple
● Watch the famous Uluwatu Kecak and fire dance
● Stay at Hillstone Uluwatu Villa
Foodgasm at 2080 Burger
On Tuesdays to Sundays from 12 noon to 10pm, 2080 Burger serves delectable patties between milky buns. Grab the El Matador Double Burger at IDR59,000 (SGD6) that comes with succulent Australian beef patties, melted Philly cheese, bacon, jalapeno, tortilla, tomato, lettuce and a splash of a speciality sauce.
Hauntingly Beautiful Nyang Nyang Beach
Of the many things to do in Uluwatu, visiting the scenic Nyang Nyang beach is a must. With multiple abandoned vessels, pristine white sand and towering green cliffs, it not only makes for an ideal photo-taking spot but also provides some solitude for those in search of a temporary Nirvana.
Get an Aerial View Paragliding
A seven-minute scooter ride away from the previous location is the Nyang Nyang paragliding site. Take off from the nearby cliff with an instructor and soar through the vast skies. Experience the eagle-eyed view of the impressive shoreline, temples and cliffs on this 10-minute tandem flight. This once in a lifetime experience will leave you in awe with the views while gliding over the coastline.
Karang Boma Cliff: Beauty of Bali from Different Angles
With an entrance fee of IDR10,000 (SGD1), Karang Boma cliff showcases the most instagrammable sunsets. An Asian alternative to the Stanage Edge, take a quick shot by the cliff’s edge. Only a seven-minute scooter ride away from the next destination, revel in the stunning view of the horizon. To catch the most spectacular sunset in Bali, type in the coordinates 8°50’11.6” S 115°05’19.1” E.
Uluwatu Temple: Shrine Amongst the Vast Sky and Ocean
Uluwatu temple is an attraction not to be missed while in the area. Overlooking the Indian ocean, this tourist spot is one of six temples scattered across the island, built to guard it against evil. To be respectful, ensure to be dressed appropriately.
An hour should suffice to venture the entirety of the temple, grab plenty of snaps and have run-ins with the cute monkeys that guard it. Be sure to head down before sunset to witness the Kecak dance.
A Spectacular Traditional Kecak Fire Dance Performance
Source: CHEN WS/Shutterstock.com
Even if you missed the chance to explore the temple, one of the top things to do in Uluwatu Bali is to watch the cultural show at sunset. Based on a Balinese ritual, it tells the story of an ancient Indian epic. Conducted at the temple complex, feel the vibrations of the voices and instruments reverberating through the floors. The hour-long mystical dance starts at 6pm and will only cost IDR150,000 (SGD15) to sway with the masses.
Overlook the Indian Ocean At Hillstone Uluwatu Villa
This spacious villa comes with a Balinese-style pavilion and offers an in-villa spa experience. Book an intensive detox program and feel rejuvenated for the last day in Bali.
Day Three
● Create your own scent at L’Atelier Parfums & Créations
● Visit an abandoned aircraft
● Lounge at the isolated Green Bowl beach
● Unwind at Karma Kandara
● Have dinner at Sundays Beach Club
L’Atelier Parfums & Créations at Benoa
Take a 90-minute or three-hour perfume making workshop. Surely a unique twist on things to do in Uluwatu, this course will leave you with the scent of your own creation. Learn all there is to know about the perfumery and take home a piece of the island that you can douse yourself in when home.
Abandoned Aircraft on Bali’s Southern Peninsula
Before dropping by Green Bowl beach, which is an eight-minute scooter ride away, take a quick peek at a thing of the past. To wonder at the mystery of how the Boeing 737-200 PK RIII got there is a must-do when in Uluwatu. Though not allowed to enter the plane, a view from the containers or hills that surround it is just as great.
Green Bowl Beach: A Mini Slice of Heaven
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Green Bowl beach, named after the algae-covered rocks that decorate its shores, is an abandoned paradise unknown to many. Untouched by warungs, this stunning utopia is a natural beauty with its clear turquoise waters and crisp white sand. Tide tends to be low at noon until 3pm, making it the best time to venture the 30-metre coastal strip. Looking for a unique shot? Snap a picture from the inside of any beachside limestone cave. Be sure to turn your flash off as these caves are home to bats, which you could catch sleeping at noon.
Treat Yourself to a Relaxed Evening at Karma Kandara
Getting a massage or taking yoga classes on vacation is a thing not to be missed. Do relish in the sound of crashing waves while being massaged or taking classes at one of the white sand beaches in Uluwatu.
Take a 12-minute scooter from Green Bowl beach to a resort and hop onto a cable car to reach the private Karma beach. Book for a massage at Ocean ‘Segara Spa’, or Yoga Bake classes by the private beach that overlooks the Indian Ocean.
Sit by a Bonfire at Sundays Bay Beach Club
Less than two kilometres away from Karma Kandara is one of the best beach clubs in Uluwatu. At IDR450,000 (SGD45), end the trip by the stunning blue waters while having dinner from the ocean view menu. Bonfires (starts at 5pm) and music (starts at 4.30pm) echo through the sandy shores at sunset, so grab a beanbag, sit by the bonfire, toast some marshmallows and soak up the vibe.
End the Trip at Villa Maiara
Villa Maiara is a multi-storied, five-bedroom villa. It is equipped with a balcony, lounge areas, minibar, private Jacuzzi and swimming pool, all while seated splendidly up top a cliff that offers an unparalleled view of the Indian Ocean.
For the best surfing spots, chill day out, or cultural immersion, Uluwatu is one of the many hidden gems in Bali, Indonesia. With several things to do and feast your eyes on, memories are bound to be made in Uluwatu.
